Vernon (played by Stuart Townsend) is a protagonist in Shade.
A skilled card mechanic and former lover of Tiffany who partners with Charlie to run high-stakes poker cons. He is ultimately revealed to be part of The Dean's elaborate setup to double-cross Charlie and Tiffany. Larry Jennings (played by Jamie Foxx) appears in Shade.
A poker player who falls victim to Vernon, Charlie, and Tiffany's initial con. After winning a large pot belonging to mobster Malini, he is tracked down and murdered by Malini's enforcers. Charlie Miller (played by Gabriel Byrne) appears in Shade.
A hustler who forms a partnership with Tiffany and Vernon to run high-stakes poker cons. He is ultimately double-crossed by his partners in The Dean's elaborate setup and splits from them at the end. Malini (played by Patrick Bauchau) appears in Shade.
Tiffany (played by Thandiwe Newton) appears in Shade.
A skilled hustler and former lover of Vernon. She partners with Charlie and Vernon, but is revealed to have tipped off Marlo and is ultimately part of The Dean's setup to double-cross Charlie. Nate (played by B-Real) appears in Shade.
The Professor (played by Hal Holbrook) appears in Shade.
Vernon's former mentor at the Magic Castle who provides guidance and expresses suspicion toward Charlie, warning Vernon to distance himself from the hustler.
Shade (2003) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Vernon
(played by Stuart Townsend) — protagonist
A skilled card mechanic and former lover of Tiffany who partners with Charlie to run high-stakes poker cons. He is ultimately revealed to be part of The Dean's elaborate setup to double-cross Charlie...
Larry Jennings
(played by Jamie Foxx) — supporting
A poker player who falls victim to Vernon, Charlie, and Tiffany's initial con. After winning a large pot belonging to mobster Malini, he is tracked down and murdered by Malini's enforcers.
Charlie Miller
(played by Gabriel Byrne) — supporting
A hustler who forms a partnership with Tiffany and Vernon to run high-stakes poker cons. He is ultimately double-crossed by his partners in The Dean's elaborate setup and splits from them at the end.
Malini
(played by Patrick Bauchau) — supporting
Tiffany
(played by Thandiwe Newton) — supporting
A skilled hustler and former lover of Vernon. She partners with Charlie and Vernon, but is revealed to have tipped off Marlo and is ultimately part of The Dean's setup to double-cross Charlie.
Nate
(played by B-Real) — minor
The Professor
(played by Hal Holbrook) — supporting
Vernon's former mentor at the Magic Castle who provides guidance and expresses suspicion toward Charlie, warning Vernon to distance himself from the hustler.
Key Relationships
Tiffany → Larry Jennings
(Alliance Former Partners)
Malini → Charlie Miller
(Conflict Mob Boss Vs. Debtor)
Nate → Charlie Miller
(Conflict Enforcer Vs. Target)
Larry Jennings → Vernon
(Conflict Con Artist Vs. Victim)
The Professor → Vernon
(Professional Mentor)
Larry Jennings → Malini
(Conflict Debtor Vs. Mob Boss)
Vernon → Charlie Miller
(Alliance Business Partners)
Tiffany → Charlie Miller
(Romantic Current Partners)
Vernon → Tiffany
(Romantic Former Lovers)
Story Analysis
A high-stakes poker con unravels into a complex web of betrayal, mentorship, and legendary card mechanics.
